Best iOS Games of 2013

2013 has been a great year for video games on any platform, but we’ve been treated especially well on iOS. Within a few short months, we’ve gotten a menagerie of solid titles that fit right into our hands. Everything from classic game remakes to brand new IP’s and brilliant sequels have reared their heads within the past few months and have earned a spot on our list of the Best iOS Games of 2013. The App Store is really coming into its own and showcasing some of the best talent from genius people across the globe. If you’ve been looking for that certain iOS game to blow your hair back, then you’ll definitely want to check out our list of the Best iOS Games of 2013. You’ll be glad you did.

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Mimpi

Crescent Moon Games LLC

How much is that doggy in the window? Only a couple of bucks, and it's a worthwhile purchase. Mimpi is a charming 2D side-scroller/physics based puzzler with some of the cutest graphics you'll ever see on an iOS device. Mimpi has a beautiful look, simple controls and easy to get into gameplay. But most of all, it has a lot of heart. We'll take this puppy for a walk any day.

Star Wars Tiny Death Star

Lucasfilm International Services, Inc.

It's Tiny Tower but with Star Wars characters! What's not to love about that? Do the Emperor and Darth Vader’s bidding as you maintain the madness that is the Empire. With so much do, you'll be busy for hours maintaining the best Death Star money can buy. If you don't Vader will just force choke you and find someone else. Star Wars Tiny Death Star is well deserving of a place on our list of the Best iOS Games of 2013.

Lego Lord of the Rings

Warner Bros. Entertainment

One ring to rule them all and one Lego game to try and get rid of it. Lego Lord of the Rings is another excellent Lego title with stellar graphics, awesome controls and the most important gaming feature around - fun. You'll have a blast revisiting the world of hobbits, orcs and wizards in your quest to help Frodo.

Infinity Blade III

Chair Entertainment

Really, what can be said about the Infinity Blade series that hasn't already been said? Gorgeous graphics, intense gameplay, and some of the best controls for a swiping fighting game? Infinity Blade III is one of the reasons your 360 and PS3 has been sitting there collecting dust.

Angry Birds Star Wars II

Rovio

The two best iOS gaming things on the planet -- Angry Birds and Star Wars, have teamed up once again for Angry Birds Star Wars II. Only this time, you get to join the Pork Side and stop the rebel scum in their bird-brained tracks. With so many new characters to unlock and play, and new and exciting worlds from the Star Wars universe, you'll be flinging your lightsaber for months and months. Or at least until they release another sequel.

Where's My Mickey?

Disney Interactive

Mickey Mouse is back and he's landed on our list of the Best iOS Games of 2013! Disney took their iconic character and placed him, Donald, Goofy and Minnie in their own version of Where's My Water? With clever puzzles, beautiful animation and lots of Easter eggs, you'll be happy to wake up every morning to the sights and sounds of the world's most famous mouse.

Plants vs. Zombies 2: It’s About Time

PopCap

The wildly popular Plants vs Zombies returns with a sequel that's bigger and better than its predecessor. The graphics look better than ever, the gameplay is still rock solid and you've got even more plants to choose from in your quest to get rid of these annoying zombies. Oh, and you get to travel through time. That's kind of cool too.

Bit. Trip. Run!

Gaijin Studios

You might be getting bored with endless runners until one comes along that makes you think twice about it. Bit. Trip. Run! is a version of the console release Bit. Trip. Runner 2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien, and it does everything the console version does, but optimizes it for your mobile device. With amazing graphics and simple, but challenging gameplay, you'll be glad you gave endless runners another chance.

Rayman Fiesta Run

Ubisoft

Rayman is back and he's looking better than ever. Control the timing of Rayman's punches and leaps as you try to avoid drooling on your iPad from these graphics. We're not kidding, this is one of the best looking iOS games out there, and the smooth controls and quick, fun gameplay have us clapping and cheering for more Rayman adventures.

I, Gladiator

Burlington Trading Limited

I, Gladiator is a master stroke of brilliant gameplay intertwined with a story that only a video game could tell. The cell shaded art style is so evocative and bright on that retina display. Battling your way through groups of warriors is satisfying and the progression through the game is unique. It really does capture the roaring crowd of the many ancient arenas and fills your veins with bloodlust. I, Gladiator is truly one of the best hack and slash games to appear on the iOS, and it will be a long time before another warrior steps up to knock it from its position.

Nimble Quest

Nimble Bit LLC

8-bit charm, killer music, simple controls and addicting gameplay? It's no wonder the creators of Tiny Tower have another solid hit on their hands. With fun power-ups and characters that have their own unique look, you'll be crushing your enemies for hours.

Ace Attorney: Phoenix Wright Trilogy HD

Capcom

The Phoenix Wright games finally made it over to iOS and boy is this collection the pinnacle of courtroom based fun. Each and every one of the cases you'll tackle are intriguing and occasionally outrageous. And, as always with this series, you're treated to an amazing soundtrack to get even the most lazy gamer pumped up. If you object to this game, then you'll be held in contempt.

XCOM: Enemy Unknown

2K Games

It was only a matter of time before Enemy Unknown made it to the iOS and it is easily one of the best games on the platform. It's chess-like strategy paired with an alien invasion makes it an engrossing title. In addition to an out of this world challenge, Enemy Unknown simply looks great in the palm of your hand. Now you can experience the perma-death of your squad members while out on the go.

Limbo

Playdead

Smooth controls, unparalleled visuals, and finley polished gameplay thrust Limbo as one of the Best iOS Games of 2013. Beautifully designed, this physics/puzzle game will have you glued to the screen for hours. It's getting harder and harder to justify $400 next-gen gaming console purchases when games like Limbo are available on your smartphone.

Fetch

Big Fish Games

Fetch is a bit hard to explain. It is a visual menagerie, an adventure game, and a brilliant story all wrapped up into one enjoyable iOS game. The art style is simply spectacular and wonderfully engaging. The game nimbly bounces from point and tap adventure to side scrolling shooter and back again. A boy looking for his lost dog Lucky is one of the most amazing experiences you’ll have on the iPad this year. Period.

Year Walk

Simogo

If ever there would be an argument for iOS games as art, Year Walk would be exhibit A. It is an unbelievably well crafted and engaging story complemented by haunting music and an art style all its own. It is an interactive adventure that unfolds like a paperback fable. From the first person perspective, the paper cutout artwork sings and draws you ever deeper into its mystery. Your time with Year Walk will be as unsettling as it is enchanting. It will capture your imagination and never let it out of the woods.

Oceanhorn: Monster of Uncharted Seas

FDG Entertainment

Sad you don't have Zelda on your iPhone? No need to be when there's Oceanhorn available to download. This iOS RPG takes everything you love about Zelda and puts it into a tiny gaming package that will keep you entertained for hours. With beautiful graphics and an amazing score, it's well worth the higher price tag. Even if you only download a few iOS titles a year, make sure Oceanhorn is one of them.

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Rockstar Games

Those beautiful wizards at Rockstar Games managed to port one of the biggest, baddest and most bombastic Grand Theft Auto games to grace a console. Carl Johnson's tale of revenge and a rise to the top makes for an excellent excuse to ride around Los Santos while blasting the beautiful, synth-infused West Coast rap. With better graphics, intelligent controls, a new cloud save feature and the ability to import your own playlist on the radio, this is the best handheld Grand Theft Auto game yet.

Cut the Rope 2

Zeptolabs

Om Nom is back, and this highly anticipated sequel is everything Cut the Rope fans could have asked for. More great puzzles, awesome music, sharp graphics and cute characters. If you liked the first, you'll love the sequel.

Ridiculous Fishing

Vlambeer

Who would have thought that a fishing game would round out our list of the Best iOS Games of 2013? Certainly not us! Well, maybe we did since we gave it a perfect score. Ridiculous Fishing is about as good as it gets when it comes to gaming in your hand. It lives up to its title with frivolous abandonment and does so with such fit and finish that it is hard not to love this game. From the wonderfully quirky art style to the absolutely addictive gameplay, Ridiculous Fishing is the best game you can download on iOS this year.